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Toldot
> Dealing with the Ups & Downs
Toldot: Dealing with the Ups and the Downs
by Rabbi Joel M. Finkelstein, Memphis, TN
Why did Esav want the blessing of his
pious father? Did Esav want the
responsibility of the mitzvot? Reb Zadok HaCohen of Lublin suggests the
answer lies in a bowl of soup. Why did Esav agree to sell the birthright
for a bowl of soup? What is in a bowl of lentils? The Rabbis say that
lentils are a sign of the cyclic nature of life. They are a sign of
mourning. However, some obscure sources indicate that the beans can also
be a sign of joy (maybe that explains why we have 'arbes', chickpeas at
some festivities).
Esav saw that Jacob and Isaac knew how to glean happiness and meaning
even out of poverty and affliction. Jews have been masters over the
centuries at finding meaning in adversity. Esav knew that the markets go
up and down, business has good and bad times. If he could receive the
bracha to find equanimity in the face of adversity, he would truly be
blessed. He thought this would provide him with an even keeled approach
to all of life, and make his life more pleasant. Jacob said to Esav,
here lies my secret. Have some bean soup, the soup of joy and of
mourning. With this Esav was satisfied. But of course the trick is that
without a life of faith and meaning, the secret of soup would be lost.
In the end, Esav was left holding the bowl, and we are granted the
blessing to find joy at good times and even during the bad times.
Why such a hairy blessing?
If we were to get the blessing, why did it have to come to us under such
strained circumstances and under false pretenses? The Ishbitzer Rebbe
and the Frystker Rebbe wrote that this blessing is just right. Had pious
Jacob received the blessing in his own skin, then the blessing would
only work for Jews as righteous as Jacob. Now that we received the
blessing with the hairy arms of Esav, then even if Israel acts like
Esav, our blessing remains. May we merit the blessing of Isaac at this
most difficult time, and may we merit to be worthy to wear the cloak and
bear the name of Jacob. |
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